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Guidance for landlords on how to maximise income within the housing benefits system in order to minimise arrears
Online guides will help renters and leaseholders to know their rights
27 June, 2018
New 'how to' guides include checklists for new and existing tenants, landlords and letting agents
Arhag needs landlords for Syrian refugees
26 June, 2018
Specialist association offering incentives including carrying out and funding repairs and guaranteed monthly rental income for 3-5 years
LIN member report December 2017 - General Data Protection Regulation An Overview
15 December, 2017
LIN member report by Kevin McCready
Smoke alarms 'fail to wake children'
23 February, 2017
Forensic scientists and fire investigators have warned that smoke alarms may not wake children
New budgeting support for Universal Credit claimants
13 February, 2017
Free online support to help Universal Credit claimants with their personal finances has been launched.
Top award for groundbreaking council project tackling homelessness
02 August, 2016
A Croydon Council initiative that has helped thousands of people at risk of homelessness has been named one of three winners
Hundreds of residents helped into work
28 July, 2016
The initiative, set up to support households affected by the benefit cap has been credited with turning hundreds of people's lives around
Fire, Gas and Carbon Monoxide Safety Regulations:
15 July, 2016
What English social landlords need to know
Garages and laundry rooms converted to flats by council
25 February, 2016
Kingston Council and the Greater London Authority have converted garages and disused laundry rooms into flats under a joint funding initiative
Universal credit: 4 top tips for housing providers
25 January, 2016
The roll-out of universal credit has been very gradual but from April job centres in every part of the country will be processing claims
NFA & ARCH Welfare Reform 2015 Analysis
07 January, 2016
NFA and ARCH survey reveals 89% of Universal Credit Claimants in rent arrears
5 top tips to keep your heating bills under control
01 October, 2015
It's beginning to get colder and that means the time to whack on the heating again is looming
Free broadband satellite dishes for remote homes
16 September, 2015
Government to launch pilot scheme to deliver universal service commitment
Project tackling fuel poverty wins 'Community Heating Project' award
16 September, 2015
Kensa Heat Pumps and Trent & Dove Housing's joint project aimed at tackling fuel poverty in 133 rural sheltered housing bungalows in Staffordshire has been awarded 'Community Heating Project of the Year'
Council taking firm action to clampdown on rent arrears bills
15 September, 2015
Barking and Dagenham Council are taking firm action to clampdown on rent arrears bills
LIN member report September 2015 - Sector Based Work Academies - Getting Tenants into Work
15 September, 2015
LIN member report written by Richard Walker
Adapting neighbourhood management for Universal Credit
15 September, 2015
In the days of austerity Ashton Pioneer Homes have learned valuable lessons as the first pathfinder for Universal Credit
Council on course to become property developer
14 September, 2015
Cambridgeshire County Council is set to be the first local authority of its kind in the UK to become a commercial property developer
North East housing provider helping tenants transition to Universal Credit
11 September, 2015
The Governments new welfare system is coming to Teesside and one local housing provider is helping their tenants get to grips with the changes
Residents helped to get online in Warrington
10 September, 2015
A new scheme that will help local people access the internet, learn new skills and access services online has been launched in Warrington.
Course helps Sheffield young people live independently
13 August, 2015
A housing scheme for vulnerable young people in Sheffield is celebrating having its very own training course nationally accredited for the first time
Council tenants set to save more than £1.4m in heating bills
13 August, 2015
Sheffield council tenants are set to save more than £1.4million on their annual heating bills through a new initiative being delivered to thousands of council homes across the city
Opinion: The right to play
30 July, 2015
Affinity Sutton has taken the decision to remove all 'No ball games' signs on its estates
Asylum seekers with children to have support payments cut
17 July, 2015
Ministers say current UK payment system gives asylum seekers' families 'significantly more cash than necessary' to meet essential needs
£3.2 million funding to help victims of domestic violence and abuse
13 July, 2015
The government has pledged to support the victims of domestic violence and abuse through a £3.2 million fund to boost the provision of services including refuges
Key PIP mobility judgment issued
13 July, 2015
An important legal judgment has been issued that may lead to the award of the PIP mobility component to disabled people, with conditions such as depression, panic attacks or anxiety
New online toolkit launched to help landlords keep houses safe
30 June, 2015
A new online tool has been launched, aimed at making rented homes safe and legally compliant
Seven ways social landlords can prepare for universal credit
19 May, 2015
Sanctuary Housing took part in pilot tests for the government's new benefits payment system. Here are its tips on preparing for the changeover
Ten energy-saving tips for tenants that are cheap and easy to follow
16 April, 2015
You don't have to live in the dark or stop washing to save energy
Eight top tips for dealing with universal credit
08 April, 2015
The introduction of universal credit brings many changes for social landlords and tenants
Social landlord puts £8,000 into food bank
21 January, 2015
A North East social landlord has put nearly £8,000 into a food bank to help support its staffing costs and provide advice and support to people currently using the service
Six ways to reduce evictions
11 December, 2014
Evictions are at an all-time high as benefit cuts take their toll on residents. How can housing providers buck the trend and help people to stay in their homes?
Top tips on avoiding fuel poverty this year
22 September, 2014
Julian Scott from Yarlington Housing Group tells Ben McGrail how we can avoid fuel poverty and explains why they've employed two new 'energy advisors' for their residents
Calculating social wellbeing
30 July, 2014
By having a standard way of calculating social impact, Affinity Sutton has worked out the value of community investment programmes compare to other projects
Eight housing apprenticeships launched in Sheffield
30 July, 2014
Sheffield City Council has launched a new apprenticeship scheme in all aspects of housing for "enthusiastic" young people
Councils failing to spend £millions in DHPs as families struggle
24 July, 2014
Local authorities are failing to spend millions of pounds that could potentially be used as emergency payments for families hit by welfare cuts
Hope for homeless families in need of Legal Aid
17 July, 2014
New ruling by the High Court has ruled that Government changes, which would have left homeless families without help, have been ruled 'unauthorised, discriminatory and impossible to justify'
Keeping rent arrears stable
14 July, 2014
By John Bryson, employment and inclusion manager, East Thames
Five tips for handling rent arrears
10 July, 2014
Experts offer their advice on how housing providers can better manage arrears and help residents struggling to pay rent
Digital exclusion is a modern social evil we can abolish
09 July, 2014
Almost 20% of the UK population still lack basic internet skills, but there's a tremendous opportunity to empower people, transform lives and support vulnerable groups
LIN Member Report June 2014 - Response of Housing Associations to "Helping People to Find and Stay in Work"
17 June, 2014
This LIN member report is written by Kevin McCready
Universal Credit - Rent Arrears Form
12 May, 2014
This form is for private and social sector landlords to claim Universal Credit rent arrears
Social landlord's 'Talent Pool' gets grandmother job
25 April, 2014
A grandmother-of-three has been helped into work by her social landlord
Thamesbank and Hounslow Council Help for struggling families
25 April, 2014
Residents struggling with the impact of welfare reform will be able to get help managing their finances thanks to a partnership between Hounslow Council and Thamesbank
Discretionary Housing Payments Guidance Manual
23 April, 2014
DWP guide which includes a Local Authority Good Practice Guide - April 2014
Food for Thought
23 April, 2014
Riverside one of the UK's leading housing providers has provided £500 of funding to Gateshead Foodbank
Local partnership opportunities with Jobcentre Plus
11 April, 2014
Partnership opportunities for public and voluntary organisations to help Jobcentre Plus move people off benefits and into employment
Direct Payments Demonstration Projects Landlord Learning Document
01 April, 2014
This publication pulls together key issues and learning that the organisations involved collectively agree on and also provides practical examples.
Less than four weeks to go for local authorities to distribute millions in 'bedroom tax' help
07 March, 2014
Shelter Scotland
Bedroom Tax Toolkit
20 February, 2014
Coast and Country Housing Association Bedroom Tax appeal toolkit
CIH Scotland commentary on recent bedroom tax tribunal rulings
14 February, 2014
Second revised edition - February 2014
No comfort for those in fuel poverty
14 February, 2014
Imagine living in a house so cold, you stay in bed all day just to keep warm. This is the reality for hundreds of social housing tenants
Solar panel investment to continue
12 February, 2014
A housing association has announced further plans to fit energy saving solar panels on some of its oldest properties
Buy-To-Let Borrowing Rates Dive To New Low
11 February, 2014
The rates are at their lowest since before the recession, fuelling fierce competition between landlords and would-be buyers
Housing minister: social landlords should help tenants to move
11 February, 2014
Social landlords should do more to help tenants who want to move home, Housing Minister Kris Hopkins has claimed
Free access to computers in Liverpool
11 February, 2014
In a bid to get more people online Riverside is joining forces with Imagine If Trust to provide free access to computers
Top tips for letting to benefits tenants
05 February, 2014
Following speculation that buy-to-let landlords could shun tenants on benefits after the introduction of the universal credit scheme George Spencer offers advice to landlords
DWP helps cut telephone call costs from March 2014
29 January, 2014
The Department for Work and Pensions will start to introduce alternative 0345 phone numbers for its major call lines from March 2014
Almost half of housing staff have experienced resident suicide threats
29 January, 2014
Housing officers should receive more training and support to help residents affected by welfare reforms
Landlords in the spotlight - how tenants can avoid getting stung
29 January, 2014
Landlords can run checks on potential tenants, but tenants can't do likewise. However, with a little conscientious research would-be renters can avoid some major pitfalls
One in seven over 65s consider renting spare room as they struggle to live off pensions
24 January, 2014
One in seven over 65s say they are prepared to become landlords as they struggle to live off their pensions
The bedroom tax error explained
15 January, 2014
A newly discovered bedroom tax loophole could see tens of thousands of households paid back millions in housing benefit payments. But who will be affected by it and what happens next?
DWP: 'Less than 5,000 are exempt from paying bedroom tax'
10 January, 2014
The Department for Work and Pensions said the number of housing benefit recipients who are exempt from paying the bedroom tax due to a legal loophole is estimated to be "less than 5,000"
HB Direct issue - January 2014
10 January, 2014
DWP newsletter which includes information about how people who do not have internet access at home can now find information about Universal Credit by hitting the red button on their TV remote control
How councils can prepare residents for universal credit
03 January, 2014
Findings show that 90% of Citizen's Advice clients are not ready for universal credit - so what can councils do?
Accent staff turn lottery win into 2,432 food items for Peterborough Foodbank
30 December, 2013
Staff at Peterborough housing association Accent have come up with a new idea to boost their donations for the Peterborough Food Bank this Christmas
Saving water? It's in the bag
24 December, 2013
Wrekin Housing Trust tenants will be able to save litres of water every day thanks to a simple solution
How the Discretionary Housing Payment fund has been spent by region
23 December, 2013
How the Discretionary Housing Payment fund has been spent by region - April to September 2013
Jubilant Fife mum urges more to fight 'bedroom tax'
23 December, 2013
A jubilant Fife mother and her disabled son have become the latest family to win their appeal against the so-called 'bedroom tax’
Stop the rot
23 December, 2013
Low-income households need subsidised energy costs as well as subsidised rent
How to beat the buy-now-pay-later profiteers at their own game
23 December, 2013
One housing provider has set up a cheaper alternative to buy-now-pay-later deals that carry costly mark-ups for residents
Universal Credit: guidance for local authorities on implementation
16 December, 2013
Key Questions and Answers for Local Authorities
LIN Member Report December 2013 - Indebted lives: the complexities of life in debt
27 November, 2013
Report about the nine million people in 'serious' debt across the UK
Help us stop the sanctions...
27 November, 2013
St Vincent's Housing Association campaign highlights 'unfair' benefit sanctions
Foodbank partnership to help vulnerable tenants
25 November, 2013
A housing association has gone into partnership with a food bank to help tenants struggling with debt and unemployment
Halton mulls online-only move for 90% of customers
15 November, 2013
A landlord is considering giving tenants tablets and smartphones as part of a drive to get 90 per cent of its customers online only by 2018 in a bid to cut costs in the face of welfare reform
Council offices to become food bank
15 November, 2013
Camden Council is allowing some of its empty offices to become storage facilities for food banks, meeting a rise in demand from households across the borough
Q&A;: Universal credit and the benefits overhaul
07 November, 2013
The introduction of the government's flagship universal credit benefit - a new payment that marks the biggest overhaul
More than £1 million claimed for tenants
05 November, 2013
Tenants from a North East housing association are now more than £1 million better off thanks to an innovative in-house financial advice service
Incentives would encourage bedroom tax tenants to pay up
18 October, 2013
Incentives such as vouchers for essential items and rent holidays are most likely to be effective in getting bedroom tax-hit tenants to pay rent on time
Top tips: How local government can improve its digital strategy
16 October, 2013
Our panel discuss the best way for councils to be effective online, from digital services to using social media to engage with residents
Harrow council offers social housing tenants up to £38,000 to move and buy
10 October, 2013
Home ownership grant one of London borough's downsizing incentives and illustrates scarcity of social housing in parts of UK
Local workless families to benefit from launch of new Families Programme in Peterborough
09 October, 2013
Peterborough's largest housing association has joined forces with public service provider Reed to deliver the European Social Funds' Families Programme
Where can I afford to live?
09 October, 2013
Whether you are house-hunting or just daydreaming, try using this calculator to see where in the country you could afford to live - and would it be cheaper to rent or buy?
Opinion: Let's fight back against tenancy fraud
27 September, 2013
Housing tenancy fraud costs tax payers millions each year. Here a fraud investigator at Viridian Housing, shares the initiatives that the housing association has implemented to tackle tenancy fraud
Digital champions may hold the key to empowering housing communities
26 September, 2013
This week's launch of the Digital Champions Network could be the beginning of a new era of online literacy for residents
Red alert
26 September, 2013
The shooting of a housing employee during an eviction in July highlighted the dangers front line workers face in the line of duty
House exchanges: helping tenants move into homes of their choice
25 September, 2013
Swapping homes can help overcome the barriers of housing transfers. It's easy and benefits both tenants and landlords
Massive rise in rent arrears as one in 10 admit being conned by a lodger
24 September, 2013
Research by 192.com has discovered that one in 10 letters have been conned by a lodger, with one in five renters admitting to often concealing their true identity when applying for a property
How to beat the 'bedroom tax'
19 September, 2013
Social housing tenants in Fife are using housing law from the 1980s to successfully challenge demands for extra rent under the so-called bedroom tax
DWP mulls fresh bedroom tax advice
13 September, 2013
The DWP is considering issuing fresh guidance to councils and tribunals following four successful appeals against the bedroom tax
Identity theft: keep it safe
12 September, 2013
As a landlord, your personal details - name, phone number, business and financial details, etc - will be in the public domain, so be sure to protect your identity
Benefit cuts put frontline housing staff in danger
12 September, 2013
Housing providers have become de facto enforcers of many benefit cuts and are finding themselves at greater at risk of harm
£69 million more for Start-Up Loans and New Enterprise Allowance
12 September, 2013
Extra financial support for British entrepreneurs to start a business is now available through Start-Up Loans and New Enterprise Allowance
Council's energy saving work set to save social tenants thousands
10 September, 2013
Tenants of Sandwell Council are set to collectively save over £38,000 year-on-year following the installation of energy saving features to properties by Wates Living Space
'Not enough being done' as tenancy fraud rises by 70%
10 September, 2013
A credit reference company has warned that much more needs to be done to combat tenancy fraud as new figures reveal that the number of detected cases of the crime increased by 70% in 2012
Tax paid for tenants in training
06 September, 2013
A Liverpool landlord is covering bedroom tax shortfalls for tenants to incentivise take-up of a training and employability programme
Bristol housing charity goes into administration
04 September, 2013
A housing charity in Bristol has gone into administration prompting the local authority to step in
Elderly residents to receive lodger support under council scheme
03 September, 2013
A scheme to keep elderly people in their own homes for longer by having a lodger move in to provide low-level support is set to be introduced by the Royal Borough
Landmark ruling sees landlord pay triple deposit to tenants
03 September, 2013
A landlord has been ordered to pay his tenants three times the value of their deposit under the first use of Scotland's tenancy deposit scheme regulations
Letting to students proves academic for landlords
03 September, 2013
The NLA's latest Landlord Panel research suggests that students are amongst some of the most reliable tenants
Six Yorkshire councils block 'predator' payday lender websites
03 September, 2013
Six councils across Yorkshire are blocking access to "predatory" payday lender websites from their computers
Council calls for power to double council tax on empty homes
23 August, 2013
Camden Council is urging the government to allow it to double the council tax charge on empty properties in the borough
Cut back on fags and booze to get DHPs, council says
23 August, 2013
Edinburgh denies tenants emergency housing cash if they spend on 'luxuries'
'Speed dating' homes swap event for Oxford tenants
22 August, 2013
A 'speed dating' event is being held for council and housing association tenants in Oxford who want to swap their homes
Gumtree Scams on the Increase
22 August, 2013
A number of defrauded tenants have contacted the NLA about a new wave of scams on the online classifieds website, Gumtree
Tenants may beat 'bedroom tax' with new bathrooms
21 August, 2013
Hundreds of people who could fall victim to the "tax" are to benefit from new plans to convert spare bedrooms into bathrooms.
Housing association pledges to rehome bedroom tax victims
20 August, 2013
A housing association has pledged to rehome anyone who goes into arrears and is evicted due to the bedroom tax
Bedroom tax safety warning
16 August, 2013
A Merseyside HA is advising staff not to display their uniforms or name badges outside work hours due to fears for their safety from bedroom tax protestors
Renters return to sharing in face of soaring costs
14 August, 2013
Large numbers of people are returning to flat-sharing after living alone or with a partner, new research has revealed
Housing association staff donate to food bank
14 August, 2013
Staff at Sanctuary Housing in Salisbury have donated food from their own kitchens to a local food bank
Councils forced to switch spending to help people hit by benefit reforms
13 August, 2013
LGA survey suggests councils will have to spend more money helping families asking for help to make ends meet
Property tips for landlords
13 August, 2013
Experienced landlord, Phil Spencer, and the Telegraph's Christopher Middleton offer up their top tips for investing in the buy-to-let market
Free lunches for Birmingham low-income family children
13 August, 2013
Children from families on low incomes are being offered free lunches during the summer holidays
Payday loan adverts banned in Plymouth city centre
13 August, 2013
Payday loan adverts have been banned from billboards and bus stops by Plymouth City Council, while Cheshire East Council has banned access to their websites from its computers
Digital Deal: 12 projects to help social tenants get online
12 August, 2013
The government's Digital Deal has provided funding for internet services and training to social housing tenants
Government funds effort to get social housing tenants online
12 August, 2013
South Essex Homes is one of twelve UK housing associations that have secured funding from the government's 'Digital Deal'
Salford residents to use phones to pay for homes
12 August, 2013
A Salford housing provider has launched a unique scheme in which its customers can help bring down the cost of their rent, simply by chatting on the phone
Scottish housing providers urge tenants to claim benefits
08 August, 2013
Two Scottish housing associations have helped their tenants claw back almost £4 million in unclaimed benefits in the last year
Payday borrowers 'could complain about lenders'
06 August, 2013
A host of payday loan customers have grounds for complaint against lenders over the way repayments were collected according to Citizens Advice
Rent controls: should they be reintroduced?
06 August, 2013
With 9 million people dependent on the private rented sector, calls for rent controls have been increasing. But what are the arguments for and against?
Housing association joins community bank
02 August, 2013
A Somerset-based housing provider has told its tenants they are set to benefit from its new partnership with a community bank
Food vouchers for hard-up tenants
02 August, 2013
Tenants of North Lincolnshire Homes who are struggling financially are being offered vouchers to exchange for three days worth of food
Charities mapping out crisis loan availability
01 August, 2013
Charities are working together to map out how different local authorities are handing out emergency loans to vulnerable people to help them with housing costs
British Gas plans to offer free power on Saturdays
01 August, 2013
British Gas has said it is planning to offer free power on Saturdays to some of its customers
Spare room subsidy: funding update
30 July, 2013
The government has announced an additional £35m in-year funding to help claimants affected by changes to housing benefit in the social sector who need extra support
Spread the word
29 July, 2013
ALMOs can play a key role in improving standards in the private rented sector
Bothered by the bedroom tax? Try speed dating
29 July, 2013
A council's speed dating experiment has proved successful in helping social housing tenants beat the bedroom tax
Housing association pledges year's support to food banks
29 July, 2013
Wulvern Housing has pledged to support two food banks for another year
Councils lock away housing crisis funds
26 July, 2013
The scrapping of a scheme to provide emergency loans to vulnerable people is worsening homelessness, charities have warned
LIN Member Reprot July 2013 - Local Authority Led Universal Credit Pilots: A summary of early learning from the pilots
25 July, 2013
DWP Report
How to fulfil your electrical obligations and protect tenants
23 July, 2013
Electrical accidents kill one person a week and cause half of all house fires. How can you ensure your properties are safe?
Rent payment and collection under universal credit - guidance for landlords
22 July, 2013
CIH Report
Breaking free from payday loan debt
18 July, 2013
Payday Loan Survival Guide from Govan Law Centre explains how someone can break free from payday lending debts, and take control of their money and life
Find your local welfare assistance scheme
16 July, 2013
Information from the childrens society about local welfare assistance schemes across the UK
LIN Member Report July 2013 - Topping Up Peter to Pay Paul (Improving Tenant Finances to Protect Rent payments)
16 July, 2013
This LIN member report is written by Viv Ashley
Housing association battling to keep tenants away from payday loan 'sharks'
16 July, 2013
Coast & Country Housing is launching a fair loan deal as part of an anti-extortionate lending campaign to stop tenants falling prey to payday loan companies
Landlords turn to food bank as benefit reforms hit
11 July, 2013
Two housing associations in Birmingham have reported they are sending at least one family a week to a food bank
840 tonnes of furniture saved by housing association's scheme
09 July, 2013
A housing association has managed to divert 840 tonnes of furniture from ending up in landfill sites over the last eight years
Newcastle tenants hit by bedroom tax urged to take part in home swap events
08 July, 2013
Council tenants in Newcastle affected by the bedroom tax are being invited to take part in a series of home swap events across the city
Family Mosaic looks at 'whole person' to get 1,000 back to work
08 July, 2013
Family Mosaic is taking a look at the 'whole person' to get 1,000 people back to work and is encouraging the rest of the social housing sector to learn from its employment 'Boot Camp' programme
Poverty and problematic debt: what can social housing providers do?
25 June, 2013
The current economic situation and planned welfare reform have led to concerns over a potential increase in problematic debt among social housing residents
Credit union in first national tie-up
25 June, 2013
More than 160,000 social tenants are set to be the first to get a financial kick-start following the Government's relaxation of "common bond" geographic credit union rules
Why councils should help teach residents to grow their own food
25 June, 2013
In tough financial times, community vegetable gardening and cooking lessons can save money, as well as improve wellbeing
LIN Member Report June 2013 - Still money to spare: how councils are failing to make the most of discretionary housing payments
21 June, 2013
This LIN member report is written by Neil Merrick
Anti social residents kept off council waiting list
19 June, 2013
Slough Council may bar people who have behaved anti-socially or are 'not financially responsible' from its housing waiting list until they 'change their ways'
Landlords offered cash to help homeless people
18 June, 2013
A charitable social enterprise is offering landlords with properties to let the chance to help vulnerably housed and homeless Londoners through its private sector leasing service
Discretionary Housing Payment includes DLA
18 June, 2013
Irwin Mitchell challenge local authority's decision to take Disability Living Allowance into account when considering Discretionary Housing Payments
Bedroom can be any size for bedroom tax
18 June, 2013
West Berkshire Council rule that a bedroom is not a bedroom because it is only 49 square feet
Housing and employment services: Collaboration in a time of change
18 June, 2013
A joint publication from the Employment Related Services Association and the Federation highlighting successful partnerships between housing associations and employment support providers
Clampdown on councils using heavy-handed bailiffs
17 June, 2013
New guidelines for councils set out that they should no longer be collecting 'contractual kickbacks' from bailiffs or employing those seeking to exploit residents through 'phantom visits' or excessive fees
Landlords urged to act as 20% of properties risk becoming unlettable
14 June, 2013
Commercial and residential landlords should act now to avoid being left with unlettable properties when new energy efficiency rules come into place
Credit union accounts for all Glasgow school pupils to combat rise of payday loans
14 June, 2013
Every young Glaswegian will be given a credit union account as part of a bid to halt the rise of high-cost payday lenders, the city council has announced
Councils handed £50m to fight fuel poverty
14 June, 2013
The Scottish Government has allocated £50 million for councils to improve the energy efficiency of homes
East Lothian to pay bedroom tax bills
14 June, 2013
East Lothian Housing Association is paying the bedroom tax for some of its tenants - having developed an assistance scheme for households it feels are particularly unfairly hit
Patch work: Solving the rent equation
12 June, 2013
New research by LIN has found a direct link between arrears and the number of staff employed to collect rent. But even with smaller 'patch' sizes, housing officers are struggling to keep tenant debt under control
Will £24 PCs help Britain's poor get online?
12 June, 2013
A new Microsoft-backed scheme is aiming to get the poorest Brits online by selling refurbished laptops and PCs for as little as £24
Notting Hill's £500m private sector plan
07 June, 2013
'Housing associations need to generate extra surpluses - we have not been getting the grant levels we used to,' according to Andy Belton chief operating officer at Notting Hill Housing Group
Councils want power to negotiate private rents
07 June, 2013
Six councils want to negotiate private rents on behalf of benefit recipients and put the money saved into house building
Emergency payments cause staffing headache
07 June, 2013
Inconsistent councils put pressure on landlords over rent support
Skills selector
07 June, 2013
Housing providers are on the hunt for employees with specialist skills as a result of welfare reforms, which are putting tenants' finances and landlords' incomes under pressure
'No-eviction' policies to tackle the bedroom tax won't work
05 June, 2013
Council's would be better advised to offer practical help for low-income households than take this problematic approach
Housing group calls the Samaritans as welfare reforms take their toll
04 June, 2013
Housing group Riverside has enlisted the help of the Samaritans to train its customer service centre staff after an alarming jump in the number of calls from distressed tenants
Personal Independence Payment - guide to making a claim
04 June, 2013
Disability Rights UK has produced this guide to help you through the claiming process
Leeds council tackles bedroom tax with semantic solution
30 May, 2013
Reclassifying spare rooms as 'non-specific rooms' should help tenants in social housing avoid reduction in housing benefit
Almost a third of renters unaware of their deposit rights
30 May, 2013
Almost one in three renters are unaware of their rights under tenancy deposit protection schemes, new research from Shelter has found
Rape victim legally challenges bedroom tax
29 May, 2013
A victim of rape, assault, harassment and stalking has launched a legal challenge against the bedroom tax on the grounds it is 'discriminatory'
Ten lessons landlords should learn about the bedroom tax
29 May, 2013
Shelter Cymru's Jennie Bibbings explains the best and worst ways in which housing providers have handled the bedroom tax
Major new project to transform credit union sector
28 May, 2013
The credit union sector is set to become transformed over the next two years following the signing up of 31 credit unions to a major new project
Coventry council apologises to families told they could not appeal against 'bedroom tax' cuts to benefits
24 May, 2013
Council accepts letters to tenants were wrong after challenge by campaign group Coventry Against the Bedroom Tax
Reclassification 'will not hit rent hard'
24 May, 2013
A leading academic has claimed that landlords reclassifying their properties to protect tenants from the bedroom tax would only suffer 'very limited' losses
How can the Digital Deal help social housing providers?
24 May, 2013
Social landlords have until June 3 to bid for a share of the Digital Deal, a £400,000 government fund aimed at helping tenants get online and improving their IT skills
Bedroom Tax Snapshot
23 May, 2013
The best and the worst of landlord and local authority practice, as experienced through Shelter casework
Social landlord's new phone app has bedroom tax calculator
22 May, 2013
One vision Housing revamped smart phone app now comes with a bedroom tax calculator - so tenants can work out if their HB will be cut
Social landlords team up and offer speed-dating to tackle bedroom tax
21 May, 2013
Four housing associations in the Bristol area have teamed up to offer their tenants a housing speed-dating event, in an effort to help combat the bedroom tax
Liverpool City Council issues advice to tenants challenging the bedroom tax
20 May, 2013
Liverpool City Council is issuing guidance to help its tenants beat the bedroom tax
Three top tips for creating a successful digital inclusion strategy
20 May, 2013
A strategy is crucial in combating digital exclusion, but what should be included and how can you make it work?
Letting agents: how to protect yourself from 'cowboys'
17 May, 2013
Top tips when looking for a letting agent
Packing it in
17 May, 2013
Private landlords must now provide tenant information packs, bringing Scotland closer to a minimum standard
Direct Payments Demonstration Projects:Learning the lessons, six months in
16 May, 2013
DWP Direct Payments Report
Seven million UK adults have never used internet
16 May, 2013
Office for National Statistics survey shows that those least likely to have gone online are the over-75s
Shelter providing free legal help for people facing eviction and repossession
15 May, 2013
Shelter Scotland has deployed two legal advisors to help people facing repossession or eviction fight their court battles - free of charge
LIN Member Report May 2013 - Direct Payments to Tenants and the Impact on Rent Arrears
13 May, 2013
This LIN member report is written by Vivienne Ashley
Council secures £2m in funding to help council tax victims
10 May, 2013
Victims of the government's welfare reforms in Birmingham will be assisted by extra funding to help with council tax costs
Universal Credit toolkit for partner organisations
10 May, 2013
A toolkit to inform partner organisations about Universal Credit and to help them explain the changes to claimants
Generation game: the return of the extended family home
10 May, 2013
How do you buy a spacious family home when money is tight? Join forces with the grandparents and double your budget. Max Davidson reports on the growing trend of multi-generational living.
Unemployed hired to build their own homes
10 May, 2013
Unemployed people will be recruited to help build their own homes under a scheme which could be rolled out across the country
Credit rating scheme to help 5.2 million tenants
10 May, 2013
Social landlords are planning to hand over rental payment data to a credit ratings giant in order to build their tenants' credit history and help them access more affordable finance
Providers warned over temporary housing plan
10 May, 2013
Housing associations pulling out of managing temporary accommodation due to benefit caps risk reducing the amount of available stock for homeless households, London Councils has warned
Westminster seals free internet deal
10 May, 2013
Westminster Council has signed a deal which will eventually roll out free internet access to more than 22,000 households
Living on a budget: Readers' stories
09 May, 2013
A recent article about how little money someone can realistically live on generated a big response from readers
High Court to consider tenants' claims against Bedroom Tax
09 May, 2013
The High Court is to consider 10 claims being brought against the government's Bedroom Tax
Landlords and agents are 'failing tenants over gas safety'
09 May, 2013
Despite the law requiring a gas safety certificate to be issued annually, Shelter says one in 10 landlords and agents have not carried out a check for more than a year
Demand for hardship fund surges
09 May, 2013
Councils across England have reported a huge surge in applications for help from an emergency hardship fund since the launch of the bedroom tax on 1 April
Extra £20m for smaller homes to 'mitigate' benefit cuts
08 May, 2013
An extra £20m will be spent on making more smaller homes available in Wales, ministers have announced
Smart Prepayment in Great Britain - Making prepay energy work in a smart world
08 May, 2013
Consumer Focus Report
How housing providers are beating the bedroom tax
03 May, 2013
Faced with a huge increase in arrears as a result of the under-occupation penalty, some housing providers have taken major steps to protect their residents and themselves
The price is right
03 May, 2013
The Lord Justice Jackson reforms came into force on 1.4.13. The reforms affect anyone involved in court proceedings, including social landlords. Courts will now be expected to deal with cases justly and 'at proportionate cost'
Keep it in the family
03 May, 2013
Family housing association in Birmingham is tackling rising unemployment by pledging to fill 10% of its job vacancies with its own tenants
Landlords to get benefits of tenants in arrears
01 May, 2013
Payment of benefit will be switched back to social landlords when tenants accrue two months of arrears during universal credit 'pathfinders'
Universal Credit: Landlords to receive direct payments after two months of arrears
01 May, 2013
Housing benefit payments will be sent directly to landlords after tenants have gone into two months of arrears during the Universal Credit pathfinders
Universal Credit direct payments: Testing the water
01 May, 2013
As Universal Credit gets underway in the North West of England, Liverpool-based One Vision Housing reveal the findings of their own direct payments pilot and share some valuable lessons
Opinion: It's not too late to save struggling families from devastating cuts
01 May, 2013
Bob Taylor, chief executive of Knowsley Housing Trust argues that people must be given a sense of hope
Universal Credit and Legal Aid Means Testing
29 April, 2013
Universal Credit becomes 'passporting' benefit from April 2013
Universal credit: the essential guide
29 April, 2013
The flagship policy in the government's welfare reform programme is now being piloted & is due to go live nationally this October.
How little money can a person live on?
26 April, 2013
BBC news report about just how little money can someone realistically get by on
Social housing tenants see rise in internet and smartphone use but remain below general population
26 April, 2013
Internet access and smartphone ownership are rising among social housing tenants but usage remains considerably lower than among the population at large
Tenants asked to sign 'ambition plans'
25 April, 2013
A south west housing association is requiring new tenants to sign up to a plan to improve their lifestyle, which will be linked to their future access to housing
Second council invites applicants to buy £1 homes
25 April, 2013
A second council offering homes for £1 says it has had thousands of expressions of interest as it begins the formal application process
Housing Minister approves Council plan to help struggling tenants
25 April, 2013
Council tenants who are most affected by the changes to housing benefit could be eligible for financial help following successful lobbying from Swindon Borough Council
Social housing tenants offered recycled computers in online drive
24 April, 2013
Social housing tenants are being offered recycled computers in a drive to get more residents online
Homelessness Transition Fund
24 April, 2013
Homeless charities across England can now apply for grants of up £150k to invest in new ways of preventing and tackling rough sleeping
Edinburgh confirms no eviction policy
23 April, 2013
Edinburgh Council has adopted a 'no eviction' policy for tenants affected by the 'bedroom tax'
Hundreds interested in Stoke-on-Trent £1 homes
23 April, 2013
A council which is selling homes for £1 has recorded 600 expressions of interest as it launches its application process for the scheme
A licence to let
22 April, 2013
Are blanket licensing schemes practical - and legal? With other local authorities set to follow Newham's lead, lawyer Eamonn Hogan gives his view
Coventry libraries' online time rises for welfare tests
22 April, 2013
The amount of free internet access in Coventry's libraries has been doubled to two hours because people were struggling to complete new welfare reform online assessments in an hour
Join the E-action against the bedroom tax
19 April, 2013
Mencap has created an e-action which allows people to tell David Cameron what they think about the bedroom tax
Buy-to-let: seaside towns offer best returns
19 April, 2013
Landlords in Southampton, Blackpool and Hull achieve rental yields of almost 8% - the highest in the country
Social housing tenants paid £30 to learn about money
17 April, 2013
A housing association is offering tenants a £30 incentive to learn how to manage their personal finances.
Social landlord tries to raise shark awareness in Leicester
17 April, 2013
Riverside has teamed up with the England Illegal Money Lending Team and Leicester City Council to try to raise awareness of loan sharks in the Leicester area
Council to use HRA funds to limit bedroom tax
17 April, 2013
Swindon council has got permission from the housing minister to use money from rental income to set up a £420,000 fund to support tenants affected by welfare cuts
Greenwich Council launches job scheme for victims of benefit cuts
16 April, 2013
The Royal Borough of Greenwich claims it is the first council in the country to launch a scheme to get the families worst affected by the government's benefit cuts into work
Credit union £38 million expansion deal signed
16 April, 2013
ABCUL has been awarded a contract worth up to £38million to modernise and grow the credit union industry so it helps more people on low incomes
Government forces lettings agents to take responsibility
16 April, 2013
An amendment to protect consumers from 'rogue' lettings agents has been added to a government bill
GHA buys homes for tenants to avoid bedroom tax
16 April, 2013
Glasgow Housing Association is to buy 300 homes to allow people to avoid the government's bedroom tax
Top tips: lessons from the direct payment pilot schemes
15 April, 2013
How can you prepare for the introduction of direct payment? Our panel of experts involved in the government's pilot schemes share their advice
Council urged to limit impact of bedroom tax
15 April, 2013
Councillors in Cambridge to discuss measures to limit the impact of the 'bedroom tax' including reclassifying some properties
Housing bodies slate bedroom tax mass appeals
12 April, 2013
Chartered Institute of Housing warns campaign may risk strong cases
Investment pot to prevent homelessness
12 April, 2013
A £78,000 investment pot is being established to prevent homelessness by Richmondshire Council
Why a digital inclusion strategy is now crucial for social landlords
12 April, 2013
Changes to how benefits are accessed means housing providers will have to do more for their tenants
Knowsley saves 200 households from bedroom tax
11 April, 2013
Knowsley Housing Trust has so far succeeded in exempting up to 200 tenants from the bedroom tax
Charity wins appeal over bedroom tax for Sheffield family
10 April, 2013
A Charity has secured exemption from the 'bedroom tax' for a Sheffield family - and say others could have success too
Housing sector aiming to get tenants on the internet with 'Spring Online'
09 April, 2013
Housing providers across the UK are to help their tenants get internet access as they take part in this year's 'Spring Online' campaign
Benefit changes: Leeds City Council could 'reclassify' bedrooms
08 April, 2013
Plans to "reclassify" bedrooms in more than 800 council homes are being considered in Leeds, in response to housing benefit changes
Discretionary Housing Payments Guidance Manual
05 April, 2013
April 2013 Good Practice Guide for DHP's
Housing benefit changes may prompt return of rent collectors
05 April, 2013
Nine in 10 housing professionals predict increased arrears under universal credit, requiring landlords to rethink rent collection methods
Strike a Digital Deal to help people get online
05 April, 2013
Social landlords are urged to bid for funding to design innovative projects to help their tenants get online with the launch of Digital Deal
Council tenants can rent out spare rooms
04 April, 2013
Social housing tenants will be allowed to make thousands of pounds by renting out their spare rooms and their benefits will be unaffected, ministers have admitted
Changes to council tax on empty homes introduced this week
04 April, 2013
Information from the Empty Homes Agency Limited
Bedroom Tax: Some Home Truths
03 April, 2013
Bedroom tax could cost taxpayers more, not less, according to new NHF report
Implementation of welfare reform by local authorities (I)
03 April, 2013
Communities and Local Government Committee - Ninth Report
Implementation of welfare reform by local authorities (II)
03 April, 2013
Communities and Local Government Committee - Written Evidence: Contents ordered by the House of Commons
LIN Member Report April 2013 - Bedroom Tax Appeals
02 April, 2013
This LIN member report is written by Claire Turner
Warning: if you spend your money on fags you might lose your home
02 April, 2013
Housing associations have come under attack for 'patronising' messages over welfare reform. How should they reach tenants?
Vacant property owners to get homes renovated for free
02 April, 2013
Owners of empty homes are being given the opportunity to renovate their properties and rent them out as shared housing for people in need
Campaigners warn of IT risk of benefit changes
28 March, 2013
Benefit claimants who lack technology skills could lose out under planned changes to the benefits system, campaigners have warned.
HB/CTB A10/2013
26 March, 2013
Housing and Council Tax Benefit Circular - Changes to the size criteria for approved foster carers and parents of armed forces personnel
Universal Credit toolkit for partner organisations
25 March, 2013
This toolkit is for organisations, particularly those in the Pathfinder locations, to inform them about Universal Credit and to help explain the changes that Universal Credit will bring
LIN Press Release - information for private and social sector landlords
25 March, 2013
Changes to the size criteria for approved foster carers and parents of armed forces personnel
Under-occupation of social housing: Housing Benefit entitlement
22 March, 2013
Parliamentary briefing
'Money saving expert' Martin Lewis launches financial advice service for social tenants
21 March, 2013
'Money saving expert' Martin Lewis has launched a new service to help social tenants manage their finances
Expert round up: how should housing providers use data?
18 March, 2013
Our panel of housing and technology leaders share their advice on how to capture and analyse data
Council: no tenant to be evicted over bedroom tax
18 March, 2013
A council has declared that none of its social tenants will be evicted if they cannot afford to pay the government's forthcoming bedroom tax
Going private
15 March, 2013
High house prices mean homeownership is a pipe dream for a growing number of renters. Neil Merrick examines how social landlords are generating extra income and plugging a gap in the market by moving into the PRS
Courts will fill up with tenants, lawyers warn
15 March, 2013
Lawyers expect courts to be inundated with 'thousands' of legal cases following the introduction of the government's 'bedroom tax' next month
MPs planning regulation of private rented sector
15 March, 2013
The All Party Parliamentary Group for the private rented sector is launching an inquiry into how best to regulate the industry
Keele University law students help 'legal aid gap'
14 March, 2013
One idea being trialled to help people get assistance is a community legal outreach companion scheme (CLOCK) run by Keele University's law school
my deposits reduces landlord deposit protection fees
13 March, 2013
My deposits has announced it is to reduce its fees from the 1st April
Universal credit pilots issue digital access warning
13 March, 2013
Three projects testing aspects of the government's universal credit welfare reform have warned there are serious flaws in the way people access the scheme
Tenants affected by benefit changes get help to downsize
12 March, 2013
Tenants in Torfaen who are affected by welfare reform and are struggling to pay their rent will now find it easier to move a smaller home
Charity launches spare rooms campaign
12 March, 2013
Depaul UK is calling on UK households with spare rooms to offer them to homeless young people
Council's bedroom tax avoidance house swap event creates 200 viewing requests
12 March, 2013
Croydon Council's house swapping event has led to almost 200 requests to view properties.
LIN Press Release - Partial U-turn over bedroom tax
12 March, 2013
Partial U-turn over bedroom tax announced by Iain Duncan Smith
The Personal Independence Payment (PIP) toolkit for support organisations
12 March, 2013
DWP Toolkit - information to individuals and organisations that support DLA claimants. It equips you to offer advice on PIP or direct claimants to other sources of help
Welfare reform trial sees rent arrears rise in Torfaen
11 March, 2013
Tenants in south Wales taking part in a trial of the UK government's benefits reforms have seen rent arrears rise seven-fold to £140,000 in seven months
Occupancy Analyser
11 March, 2013
Wirral Partnership Homes has launched a new 'occupancy analyser' toolkit to help assess the financial impact of the bedroom tax on its future income
Tenants asked to sign bedroom tax disclaimer
08 March, 2013
A Liverpool-based housing association is asking tenants to sign forms that say they accept they will be hit with legal action if they don't pay their rent as a result of the 'bedroom tax'
Orbit recycles hundreds of old computers to help tenants get online
08 March, 2013
Orbit Group is recycling hundreds of old computers to help tenants get online ahead of the government's imminent welfare reforms
New ruling on letting agents fees
07 March, 2013
The Advertising Standards Agency has ruled that letting agents must make their full fees clear in the quoted price of all rental properties
Universal Credit: Proposal for Direct Payments trigger
07 March, 2013
CIH has joined forces with the National Housing Federation and Community Housing Cymru to advise the government
DWP sets date for national benefit cap roll-out
07 March, 2013
The national roll-out of the benefit cap will begin on 15th July announced the Department for Work and Pensions
Homes Under the Hammer star launches household goods re-use scheme
05 March, 2013
Martin Roberts, star of TV show Homes Under the Hammer, has launched a housing association's new household goods re-use scheme
300% rise in demand for youth emergency accommodation
04 March, 2013
Depaul UK's campaign is calling on the 7.5 million households nationwide that have spare rooms to consider making it available to a young homeless person
Nationwide to stop lending to landlords with Local Housing Allowance tenants
01 March, 2013
Mortgage provider Nationwide, which provides mortgages for over a third of the buy-to-let market, has withdrawn from lending to new landlord customers with LHA tenants
Green Deal warning for buy-to-let landlords
25 February, 2013
Buy-to-let investors will be forced to make their properties more energy-efficient or stop renting them out
Home swap service to tackle welfare reform
22 February, 2013
Social landlords are to set up a national mobility scheme to help tenants move to avoid the impact of the government’s welfare reforms and to find work
Challenging Times, Changing Lives
22 February, 2013
Welfare reforms will fail to result in positive changes unless the government and social landlords increase support services for tenants, Riverside study warns
Welfare changes: tenants get explanatory video
19 February, 2013
Hundreds of council home tenants can learn more about the Government's forthcoming welfare changes thanks to a new online film
Free IT courses for Dale & Valley Homes' customers
19 February, 2013
Council tenants in Wear Valley are being offered the chance to learn computer skills for free
LIN Press Release - Information on Direct payment of Universal Credit Housing costs direct to landlords
15 February, 2013
Universal Credit (UC) - Guidance on Personal Budgeting Support
Tenants avoid bedroom tax after Knowsley reclassifies homes
15 February, 2013
Knowsley Housing Trust is reclassifying 566 properties as smaller homes, in a move which will help tenants affected by the bedroom tax
LIN Member Report February 2013 - Universal Credit and its Implications on Rental Payments
15 February, 2013
This LIN member report is written by Leanne Tasker
Direct payments housing association: 'Welfare reforms could cost us £10m a year'
14 February, 2013
Wakefield and District HA who are taking part in the DWP Direct Payment demonstration projects says the Government's welfare reforms could end up costing it £10million a year
Tenants get lessons in IT and savings
14 February, 2013
Whitefriars Housing has teamed up with Henley College and is giving its tenants lessons in IT and how to save and manage their money
Birmingham to set up lettings agent
11 February, 2013
Birmingham Council plans to launch a social lettings agency to provide access to private rented property to people in housing need
Universal Credit - Local support services framework
11 February, 2013
The Local support services framework states it will be up to the DWP to make exceptions to normal payment rules such as paying the housing element of Universal Credit direct to landlords
LIN Press Release - Universal Credit (UC)
11 February, 2013
The local support services framework for the government's flagship welfare reform, Universal Credit, states it will be up to the DWP to make exceptions to normal payment rules such as paying the housing element of the credit to landlords
Would you like a new house in your life? Try speed dating
11 February, 2013
Housing associations in Bristol are inviting their tenants to a 'Speed Dating for Houses' event, in an effort to confront the coming 'bedroom tax'
Tenants offered shopping vouchers for timely rent
05 February, 2013
A midlands housing association is offering shopping vouchers as an incentive to tenants to prepare for welfare reform
Newcastle landlord to visit 6,000 tenants hit by Government's 'bedroom tax'
04 February, 2013
Your Homes Newcastle is carrying out face-to-face interviews with more than 6,000 tenants facing significant income drops as a result of Welfare Reform
Under-occupation and the new policy framework
04 February, 2013
Report by the Cambridge Centre for Housing & Planning Research
Personal Independence Payment forms
01 February, 2013
Examples of forms and guidance on filling them out, which DWP will send to claimants after they call the PIP claim line
Vulnerable residents mount High Court challenge to controversial council tax changes
31 January, 2013
Councils across the UK are facing High Court action after vulnerable residents launched legal action challenging controversial new council tax policies which they claim will "hit the poor hardest".
Housing association to create 1,000 apprenticeships for workless tenants
29 January, 2013
Radian is planning on creating 1,000 apprenticeships for its unemployed tenants
Set in place solid foundations - Then tackle the myriad of welfare reforms
28 January, 2013
LIN complimentary report for landlords
Tenants get £40 boost to open jam jar accounts
28 January, 2013
Walsall housing association is offering its tenants financial incentives to open up jam jar accounts
Hundreds get plugged into opportunities at employment fair
25 January, 2013
Organisations in Knowsley have worked together to help link people with employment and training opportunities in the borough
Apprentice Scheme Goes From Strength to Strength
25 January, 2013
South Tyneside Homes' apprenticeship scheme is proving popular as the programme is helping a great deal of youngsters onto the first rung of the employment ladder
landlords should get systems in place before Universal Credit
25 January, 2013
Here Claire Turner, director of LIN, argues that landlords should take steps to prepare for Universal Credit before payments are made direct to tenants
Landlord to cushion bedroom tax blow
25 January, 2013
A housing association plans to pay tenants the amount they will lose through the bedroom tax over three years as a lump sum cash incentive to downsize
Berkshire free school meals numbers on rise
22 January, 2013
The number of free school meals taken by children across Berkshire has risen by a third over two years, Department for Education figures reveal
Landlord's welfare reform video tailored by 20 other organisations
21 January, 2013
A YouTube welfare reform video produced by a housing association for its tenants has been tailored by 20 other organisations and raised £10k for a hospice
Social housing should build a future for our young people
21 January, 2013
Octavia Housing has launched an apprenticeship scheme only open to residents, fostering culture of aspiration on its estates
Landlord to host 'soap opera' about benefit changes
17 January, 2013
New Charter Homes is turning its offices into the venue for a 'soap opera' to help tell tenants about important changes to their welfare benefits
How housing staff can work to tackle child poverty in their communities
16 January, 2013
Thousands of children are struggling in poor families. Housing providers should not turn away from this tricky problem
Council offering landlords cash incentives to house homeless families
16 January, 2013
Hounslow Council has launched a new incentive for landlords to help local families at risk of becoming homeless
The direct payment guinea pigs
11 January, 2013
Inside Housing examines the results of six pilot projects, which have been testing the new system since June, to find out what landlords can expect
Six steps to improve digital inclusion in 2013
10 January, 2013
Getting residents online is now more important than ever. Follow six simple stages to help this transition
LIN Member Reprot January 2013 - Universal Credit Service Charges
09 January, 2013
DWP guidance for landlords
Enterprise Clubs - support for self-employment
04 January, 2013
Enterprise Clubs - make the most of local knowledge and resources to help unemployed people in their communities set up as self-employed or start their own business
Work Clubs
04 January, 2013
Work Clubs - an initiative which aims to support the development of a network of locally led, community based support for the unemployed
Paying the housing element of Universal Credit direct to tenants in social rented housing
03 January, 2013
Briefing by the Libraries of the House of Commons and House of Lords and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
50 ways to save: examples of sensible savings in local government
21 December, 2012
This document sets out 50 examples of sensible savings that councils could make and contains practical tips and guidance
Tenants handed computers in Christmas giveaway
21 December, 2012
Newlon Fusion, the community arm of Newlon Housing Trust is presenting tenants with computers and training as part of work to prepare for the impact of welfare reforms
Direct payment projects warn of creeping arrears
18 December, 2012
The creeping of arrears in the direct payment demonstration projects is further evidence landlords will need to provide a range of payment options
Housing provider's adviser army to prepare 1000s of tenants for welfare reform
17 December, 2012
A housing provider is sending out an army of advisers to inform its tenants about the Government's imminent welfare reforms
Demonstration projects have shown 'value of jam jars'
12 December, 2012
An MP says the demonstration projects trialling direct housing benefit payments to tenants have shown the value of jam jar budgeting accounts
Private tenants 'still in the dark' about Universal Credit
11 December, 2012
The majority of private tenants currently in receipt of benefits are either unaware (37%) or unsure (48%) about the implications of planned changes to the welfare system in the UK
18% of UK's private landlords do not have required insurance
10 December, 2012
Almost one in five of the UK's private landlords do not have the required insurance on their properties, new research has revealed
Direct payment to cost pilot landlord £8 million a year
07 December, 2012
The Department for Work and Pensions has insisted its plans for direct payment of benefit will proceed despite a landlord on a pilot project claiming the policy will cost it £8 million a year
Northern landlords buy lettings firms
07 December, 2012
Two northern housing associations will take on the management of 1,300 private homes after buying independent private lettings businesses this week
Quarter of tenants need help with universal credit
26 November, 2012
Around a quarter of social tenants will need support with the switch to universal credit if they are to avoid financial risk
Smart for all - Understanding consumer vulnerability during the experience of smart meter installation
22 November, 2012
National Energy Action (NEA) and Consumer Focus Report
Why social landlords should provide fully furnished properties
21 November, 2012
Tenants that can't afford the upfront costs of furnishing a home are falling victim to expensive rent-to-own schemes
Charity increasing ties with housing associations to get disadvantaged into work
20 November, 2012
A business-led charity is hoping to expand its relationship with the social housing sector as it looks to increase delivery of a successful employment scheme
Landlord partners with energy firm so tenants can see fuel use
20 November, 2012
Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing has partnered with an energy firm to allow tenants to see how much energy they're using in a bid to reduce monthly bills
Carbon Monoxide Awareness week
20 November, 2012
As part of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, the National Landlords Association is reminding all landlords of the dangers of carbon monoxide and to check their appliances as winter draws in
Social tenants' finances and vulnerability to direct payments
20 November, 2012
NHF report which identifies those who will struggle with move to Universal Credit
HA's employment scheme sees 54 into work in 6 months
16 November, 2012
New Charter Homes' employment scheme has got 54 people into paid work in six months
How social landlords can take the lead on enabling broadband connectivity
15 November, 2012
Research recently found that just under half of those living in social housing have no access to the internet
Plan to fit 'super-fast broadband' to London council flats
13 November, 2012
Wandsworth Council is considering options to give council tenants access to fibre optic broadband
Top tips: how to improve tenant communication
13 November, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion on how to engage tenants and residents
Communications for smaller housing associations
09 November, 2012
New NHF guide illustrates how smaller housing associations can communicate effectively, whatever their resources
Knock, knock
09 November, 2012
Who's there? This is the question Aspire Housing is asking tenants during visits to their homes to find out who will be hit by the bedroom tax next April
Direct payment tenants taken to court
08 November, 2012
One of the HA's involved in the Government's direct payment demonstration projects has warned social landlords to get strict with their arrears policy ahead of UC
Should social tenants receive free broadband access?
08 November, 2012
Jake Berry has called on government to provide free broadband for social housing residents. Do you support the proposal?
£5.67: the value of £1 spent on confidence and skills for tenants
08 November, 2012
With the Social Value Act coming into force next year, housing associations are fighting to prove their financial worth
Six tips for landlords to reduce void rental periods
07 November, 2012
Welfare reform will lead to repossessions and properties being abandoned by tenants. Here's how to get it back into use quickly
How to: Work in partnership with the private rented sector to tackle homelessness
06 November, 2012
CIH report
The cost of running a home
06 November, 2012
A guide from Wolverhampton Homes which aims to give an idea of those costs that tenants will have to budget for when running their own home
Top tips: helping residents find employment
06 November, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion on why and how housing providers should help tenants to find work
Why we should provide social housing tenants with free broadband
06 November, 2012
It's not a vote-winner and it won't make me popular, but social tenants need free internet access
Direct payment to landlord scheme has cut private rents, says Freud
05 November, 2012
A temporary scheme to enable private landlords to receive direct housing benefit payments in return for dropping rents has been a success, welfare reform minister Lord Freud has said
PDF: Lost benefits - An article from February 2004
05 November, 2012
Disturbing results from a trial of direct housing benefit payments mean the government should think long and hard before applying the reform to the social sector
Bedroom Tax Guidance
05 November, 2012
CIH Scotland - This practice guidance is aimed primarily at Scottish social landlords - i.e. local authority landlords and registered social landlords
Evaluation of the Direct Payment Demonstration Projects- Emerging Learning
02 November, 2012
This is the second report in this series
Landlords plan bank account
02 November, 2012
A group of Greater Manchester landlords is working with local credit unions to set up a new type of bank account to help thousands of tenants who could be made worse off by welfare reform
DWP holds back data on direct payment pilots
30 October, 2012
The Department for Work and Pensions has insisted tenants are ready to manage their own money but is not yet releasing data from its direct payment pilot projects
IDS plans 'two-child' family benefit cap
26 October, 2012
Families claiming child-related benefits may find the amount they are entitled to capped at two children, the work and pensions secretary said today
Doubts cast on green deal cash back scheme
25 October, 2012
Construction groups have questioned whether £125 million of cashback payments will be sufficient to encourage take up of the green deal energy efficiency scheme
What housing providers can learn from the Tesco Clubcard
25 October, 2012
Most social landlords know very little about their tenants, but collecting the right data can improve housing services
Housing benefit limit only for future claimants
22 October, 2012
Plans to end housing benefit for under-25s would only apply to new claimants, the Department for Work and Pensions has said
Top tips: managing housing and migration
22 October, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion on housing and migration
Minister's domestic abuse warning about welfare reforms
19 October, 2012
Welfare reforms could make it harder for female victims of domestic abuse to leave violent partners, according to Welsh government minister
Universal Jobmatch
15 October, 2012
Universal Jobmatch launches on 19 November 2012. This is DWP's new, free online job posting and matching service
Green Deal Quick Guides
15 October, 2012
Quick guides on the Green Deal are available for householders, owners, tenants and landlords
Universal Credit: The benefit cut for workers that has 'escaped notice'
15 October, 2012
A Labour MP has hit out at plans to dock the benefits of workers under Universal Credit which he says has almost "escaped notice".
PM confirms age limit plan for housing benefit
10 October, 2012
David Cameron has confirmed the government will look to end automatic housing benefit for under 25-year-olds
British Gas and Shelter launch 'Decent Homes' for private rented sector
10 October, 2012
Shelter and British Gas have launched an ambitious partnership to improve the standard of one million homes in a kind of Decent Homes programme for the private rented sector
Top tips: managing the latest round of right-to-buy
09 October, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion on how to handle the new right-to-buy
Benefit pilot avoids arrears
08 October, 2012
A Scottish housing association claims to have so far avoided arrears in its universal credit direct payment pilot by not insisting on direct debits
Housing association steps up interventions on direct payment project
03 October, 2012
One of the HA's involved in the Government's direct payment demonstration projects says more interventions are being taken to collect unpaid rent
Top tips: the future of housing finance
01 October, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion on the challenges of housing finance
Green Deal explained - video
01 October, 2012
A short animated video offering a clear and concise explanation of the UK Government-backed Green Deal
Universal Credit could exclude people without Internet access
01 October, 2012
People with little or no IT skills could have difficulty applying for the UK Government's new Universal Credit
Quids in: The impact of financial skills training for social housing tenants
01 October, 2012
Personal Finance Research Centre University of Bristol
Landlords in talks to give tenants free internet
28 September, 2012
Social landlords are in talks with internet service providers in a bid to arrange free online access for tenants ahead of the introduction of the universal credit
Housing Benefit size criteria in the social rented sector
25 September, 2012
New factsheets and posters to help local authorities communicate the Housing Benefit size criteria change to Housing Benefit claimants
Top tips: managing temporary accommodation
24 September, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion on how housing associations can improve temporary accommodation
Top tips: managing community planning
24 September, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion on how what barriers have councils and communities encountered while implementing the government's vision for planning
Shelter calls for five-year rental contracts
21 September, 2012
Housing charity says a 'stable rental contract' would allow tenants to put down roots and give landlords more certainty
Advice for university landlords and top tips for students
20 September, 2012
A reminder for university landlords to protect their tenants' deposits as students embark on the new academic year
Flexible tenure: the key to sustainable communities?
20 September, 2012
How one housing association is developing a business model that allows landlords to quickly adapt to residents' changing circumstances
Homeowners offered grants to house social tenants
19 September, 2012
Cherwell DC is offering owners of empty homes grants of up to £15k to renovate their houses in exchange for allowing the properties to be temporarily used as social housing
Tackling the poverty premium in social housing
17 September, 2012
A Big Lottery Fund scheme is helping landlords to provide financial advice for tenants to help stop a spiral of debt and evictions
The 'rentysomethings' putting the fizz into rental property
17 September, 2012
Tempting 25-35-year-olds into a state-of-the-art rental property is big business
Top tips: improving digital inclusion
17 September, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion on how housing can get residents online
Warm Front Changes Eligibility
13 September, 2012
The eligibility for Warm Front has now changed with additional benefits being added
LIN Member Report September 2012 - Case Study - Helping Landlords to prepare for Welfare Reform
13 September, 2012
This LIN member report is written by Claire Turner and Peter Hall
Housing associations talking to DWP over 'benefit verifier' role
10 September, 2012
Places for People and several other large housing associations have been in talks with the DWP about joint-working initiatives to smooth the roll-out of UC next year
Top tips: housing and the economy
10 September, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion around what role housing can play in the nation's economic recovery?
Get yourself connected
10 September, 2012
Bromford Group has launched a social networking site to help its tenants access training and jobs
Top tips: housing and the economy
08 September, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion on what role can housing play in the nation's economic recovery
App launched to end deposit disputes
04 September, 2012
A homelessness charity in Scotland has launched a smartphone application developed to end deposit disputes between tenants and landlords
Advice on dealing with squatters in your home
04 September, 2012
This publication is aimed at informing property owners about the new offence and the procedures for regaining possession of their properties from squatters
Dealing with Rogue Landlords - A Guide for Local Authorities
03 September, 2012
This guidance urges local authorities to crack down on rogue landlords and provides them with practical advice for doing so.
Reader's response: questioning the reward society
24 August, 2012
Rewards have failed to instigate behavioural change in the banking sector, so why should social housing be any different?
Review of the barriers to institutional investment in private rented homes
23 August, 2012
Montague report
Lottery funding to help tenants manage finances
22 August, 2012
Nearly £32 million of lottery funding has been allocated to 37 projects to help social housing tenants improve their financial management
Publicising discretionary hardship fund criticised
17 August, 2012
A call on councils to more aggressively promote a hardship fund by the Department for Work and Pensions has been criticised
Feeling the strain - DHPs
17 August, 2012
An in-depth look at the system of Discretionary Housing Payments by Keith Cooper, Inside Housing
DWP opportunities for local partnership working
16 August, 2012
DWP aspire to join up public services such as health, housing, transport, employment and skills to help local people back into work
Landlord urges tenants to use 'jam jar' accounts
15 August, 2012
A west midlands landlord is encouraging tenants to set up 'jam jar' accounts with a local credit union to help them manage their finances once welfare reforms come into force
LIN Member Report August 2012 - Welfare Reform Case Study - Vela Group
13 August, 2012
This LIN member report is written by Claire Turner, Lynn McPartlin and Anthony Scarre.
Bedroom tax offer for training tenants
10 August, 2012
Liverpool Mutual Homes is planning to pay the bedroom tax for tenants who complete training programmes or voluntary activities on its estates
LIN Press release - Evaluation of the Direct Payment Demonstration Projects
09 August, 2012
Evaluation of the Direct Payment Demonstration Projects- Emerging Learning
No right to remain
08 August, 2012
In the case of Birmingham Council v Lloyd, the Court of Appeal has reassured housing providers that only in exceptional circumstances can a trespasser win the ability to stay
Millions still available for social landlords to make homes warmer
08 August, 2012
Funding to get low carbon heating into the homes of hundreds of social housing tenants is still up for grabs for LA's, HA's and other registered providers of social housing
Spot checks for council house tenants in mid Devon
06 August, 2012
Council house tenants in one Devon authority could face unannounced checks on their homes
Work Clubs
03 August, 2012
This is a link to resources to help you set up and run or support a Work Club in your area
Tenants get mobile rent payment app
03 August, 2012
Raglan housing association has introduced a smartphone rent payment application for tenants on the move
DHPs - Public Consultation
02 August, 2012
Consultation seeking views on the Discretionary Housing Payments guidance manual. Consultation closing date 31.8.12
Getting tenants online: housing officers as digital champions
02 August, 2012
There is a serious lack of personal digital skills in the UK and we need a new kind of housing officer who can train tenants
LIN Press release - DWP model documents
01 August, 2012
Support for Housing Benefit claimants to meet any rent shortfall - model documents
London borough launches 'radical' 'Housing into Work' pilot
01 August, 2012
An LA is piloting a scheme that will see young unemployed people on its waiting list offered council homes on 2 year fixed-term tenancies
Broadband service to help Scunthorpe tenants get online
01 August, 2012
A superfast broadband scheme is due to be rolled out to social housing tenants in North Lincolnshire to encourage them to access the internet
A quick guide to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for support organisations and advisers
01 August, 2012
DLA will be replaced by PIP for people of working age from 8 April 2013, even if they have an indefinite or lifetime award
Top tips: regeneration and the Olympic legacy for London
30 July, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion on regeneration and the Olympic Games
Jargon warning after 40 different households ignore same benefit cut letter
10 July, 2012
Lambeth councillor warns social landlords to carefully consider communications to tenants around welfare reform after 40 households ignore benefit cut letter
Landlord part-funding housing benefit officer
06 July, 2012
Trident Group is part-funding a member of the HB team in Birmingham CC in a bid to support residents and ensure claims are handled as efficiently as possible
Top tips: how can housing staff help prevent homelessness?
02 July, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion on housing's role in the prevention of homelessness
Housing Association and Welfare Rights Best Practice Guide
01 July, 2012
Scottish Federation Of Housing Association publication
Top tips: regulating the private rented sector
25 June, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion on regulation for private landlords
Top tips: Preparing for Universal Credit
06 June, 2012
Advice on how social housing can prepare for the government's new welfare system
New phone app keeps tenants plugged in on the move
31 May, 2012
Knowsley Housing Trust is breaking new ground in the way it communicates with its tenants with the development of a mobile phone app
Top tips: tackling antisocial behaviour
21 May, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion on how housing providers can deal with antisocial behaviour
Top tips: social housing regulation
09 May, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion on changes to the regulation of social housing
The seven reasons why landlords won't let to tenants on benefits
02 May, 2012
Private sector landlords are accused of unfairly turning away households claiming housing benefit. So why do they refuse
Housing association's guide to Work Programme success
30 April, 2012
The Government's £5bn Work Programme has received mixed reviews from the housing associations and charities involved, but Bromford Housing Group believes it can be a success
How to demonstrate value for money in social housing
12 April, 2012
One Vision Housing recommends giving staff and tenants a role in scrutinising value for public money
How to consider new approaches to allocations and lettings
12 April, 2012
CIH briefing - guidance on core areas of housing management helping overcome the challenges associated with putting current policy changes into practice
Top tips: is the NPPF the answer to the housing crisis?
11 April, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion about the National Planning Policy Framework
Top tips: how will the budget affect housing?
02 April, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion about the effect the budget will have on the housing sector
The 10 lessons we've learned from meeting rural housing need
16 March, 2012
To mark Rural Housing Week, Warwickshire Rural Housing Association shares its top tips on how to meet local demands
Top tips: how can housing help to manage dementia?
02 March, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion about how housing can help support residents with dementia
Working with the private rented sector to tackle youth homelessness
02 March, 2012
Crisis' publication identifies effective ways in which agencies support young homeless or vulnerably housed people to access and sustain PRS accommodation
Guidance for landlords
01 March, 2012
Electrical Safety Council (ESC) guidance for landlords outlines the simple steps landlords can take to ensure the electrical safety of their properties
How to find a Good Landlord
29 February, 2012
The NLA has compiled a list of the top things a tenant should look for when they are searching for the ideal landlord
Top tips: how to use social media in the housing sector
24 February, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion about developing your social media strategy to engage tenants, build communities, and more
Top tips: after affordable rent
09 February, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion about what comes after affordable rent
Top 10 tips Toolkit - Added Value Marketing
30 January, 2012
Marketing top tips for housing organisations from the Word Association
Top tips: how should councils work with private landlords?
20 January, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion about how councils should work with private landlords
Top tips: housing strategy
03 December, 2011
Comments from the Guardians discussion about the housing strategy
Top tips: managing cuts to Supporting People funding
12 November, 2011
Comments from the Guardians discussion about Supporting People funding
Top tips: how to solve the problem of under-occupation
05 November, 2011
Comments from the Guardians discussion about about how to solve the problem of under-occupation
Top tips: right-to-buy
29 October, 2011
Comments from the Guardians discussion about reviving right-to-buy
Top tips: the financial impact of welfare reform
10 September, 2011
What impact will the government's welfare reforms have on local government finance?
Top tips for landlords: Assured shorthold tenancies
03 September, 2011
These tips are for landlords who have let or who intend to let a property on an assured shorthold tenancy
Top tips for tenants: Assured shorthold tenancies
03 September, 2011
These tips are for people who are or who are thinking of becoming an assured shorthold tenant
Fact sheet: Gaining possession of a privately rented property let on an assured shorthold tenancy
03 September, 2011
This fact sheet has been prepared for landlords who wish to gain possession of a privately rented property let on an assured shorthold tenancy
Landlords 'refusing to take people under 34' ahead of housing benefit cuts
13 July, 2011
The chief executive of homelessness charity Thames Reach says private landlords are already refusing to take people under the age of 34
Top tips for private tenants
13 July, 2011
CAB guide for private tenants living in poor housing conditions
Government to close squatters' legal aid loophole
29 June, 2011
Squatters will no longer get legal aid to fight home owners trying to evict them from their properties, under proposals set out in the Sentencing, Legal Aid and Punishment of Offenders Bill
Direct payment of Housing Benefit to a landlord April 2011
24 May, 2011
New Guidance on Direct Payments where the Landlord is prepared to reduce the rent
Top tips: Tax Credit renewal forms
24 May, 2011
Tips for tenants filling out Tax Credit renewal forms
Housing Benefit - Local Housing Allowance private rented sector
01 April, 2011
LHA Information Leaflet
Access to DWP Services
01 March, 2011
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare and pension policy and is a key player in tackling child poverty.
Attendance Allowance (AA) Hints and Tips
01 March, 2011
AA is a tax-free benefit for people aged 65 or over who need someone to help look after them because they are physically or mentally disabled
Carers Allowance and Carers Credit
01 March, 2011
CA is a taxable benefit for people who are looking after or supporting a friend, relative or neighbour, for 35hours a week or more
How to access benefits via Directgov
01 March, 2011
Directgov is the Government’s main, on-line and preferred method of providing information and guidance.
State Pension and Pension Credit
01 March, 2011
The SP is a regular payment people can claim when they get to SP age. Most people build up some SP, but the amount they get varies.
How to access DWP forms and leaflets
01 March, 2011
The DWP are working towards making more applications available on line.
Preparing customers for contact with DWP
01 March, 2011
Visit Directgov and use the Benefit Advisor to check which benefits the customer may be entitled to and obtain estimates of benefits, tax credits or pensions.
Face to face services
01 March, 2011
Teleclaims service
01 March, 2011
Claims for State Pension (SP) and Pension Credit (PC) can be made using the dedicated teleclaim service.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Hints and Tips
01 March, 2011
DLA is a tax-free benefit for disabled children and adults under age 65. It is an “in work†benefit, and is not affected by income or savings.
Working with Partnership Managers
01 March, 2011
To establish partnerships which are beneficial to our shared customers and our respective organisations.